The U.S. Supreme Court signaled strong skepticism toward President Donald Trump’s effort to remove Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve, with justices from across the ideological spectrum warning that such a move could threaten the central bank’s independence.
During a hearing on Wednesday in Washington, both conservative and liberal justices pressed Solicitor General D. John Sauer, who argued that Trump should have the authority to dismiss Cook while her legal challenge continues in lower courts.
Several justices appointed by Trump expressed unease about the broader implications. Brett Kavanaugh said the president’s position would “weaken, if not shatter, the independence of the Federal Reserve.” Amy Coney Barrett also raised concerns about possible fallout for financial markets, questioning whether such risks should prompt added caution, even as she noted she was not fully persuaded by all of Cook’s claims.
The dispute is shaping up as a major test of the Supreme Court’s stance on central bank autonomy. While the court has previously acted to shield the Federal Reserve from presidential pressure, Cook’s case introduces fresh legal issues that could have lasting consequences for the Fed’s independence and its role in overseeing U.S. monetary policy.
